My heart goes out to all these people believe me I know what its like I still break out in cold swets when I see fire that was over seven years now when I was slap dab in the middle of the fires in Bindoon W.A. It wasn't as bad as this and we did have our house saved but the fruit trees and animals all went. I have not been able to watch the news as it still gives me shivers but i do feel for all of you affected 

ciao Vicki 

My heart goes out to the whole of Australia

Love Pauline

It is terrible.  I'm listening to the bulletins etc all day at the moment and I am horrified by it all.  For me, it is the Canberra fires all over again.

I'm waiting for news in Gympie as to whether or not there are going to be fundraising efforts here, as I don't have a credit card so can't make a direct donation.

The new death toll predictions released just after 6pm are over 230, which is terrible.  Last count was over 130.

Like Josierm said,I'd donate blood too, but I am breastfeeding, and Les can't because of previous health issues.

I couldn't watch this and do nothing.  If I wasn't breastfeeding I would be donating blood.  I told my husband he should donate for the first time ever.  I rang the red cross (1800 811 700) this morning and donated some money.  A girl I play netball with is going to start a fundraiser.  There is something we can all do to help, no matter how small.  When reporters and politicians lose it in the face of the camera, you know its bad!  my sympathy goes to all those affected. xoxoxo

 What can one say to those who have lost loved ones, I am just so sorry. My prayers go out to those who have been affected.

And a wish for the so in so to get caught and the punishment to fit the crime....string him up!

It is absolutely tragic.  The loss of so many lives - how will these communities ever move on - you can rebuild structures, but not people.  Hats off to the Fire Brigades and Emergency Services - particularly those who have lost their own families while saving other people's.  My heart goes out to all who have lost and I wish I could do more.

As for the people who may have lit them - IF they get caught the govt is talking 25years minimum, charged with murder, but I think they shoudl be the ones going in and dragging out the bodies and telling the families - let them see what they've done - all for a quick laugh!  Sick....

To all those poor people, I live in Victoria and have watched in horror as our state goes up in flames my heartfelt sympathy to all that have lost evrything and all those that have lost a loved one my heart goes out to you.

I just dont understand how one part of the country can be burning away and the other washed away isnt there someway of diverting the excess floods to the states that are so dry that soon will be nothing left. Surely the Government can put in huge pipelines down from Queensland to Victoria and N.S.W to use the water that otherwise is wasted we need it so bad.

And I have heard that these fires were diliberty lit what is the punishment for such disgusting human behaviour how can they do this Mother Nature is taking her toll on all of us we dont need people like that in our society.

Thinking of you all

Regards

Tuloula

It is just aweful. My thoughts and prayers are with all those people who are affected by this.

Yes it's really awful, it leaves you with a sick feeling in your stomach whether you know anyone who is a victim of the fires or not.  We get so used to hearing about or being threatened or inconvenienced by them every year; however until now, the tragedy of people dying has mainly been avoided... To think that some of these people were actually murdered by fire bugs is horrific.

This is just so horrific - my thoughts are with you.

 It is so sad, my mum & dad arent that close to it but cannot open their doors or windows because the air is thick with smoke.

Praying for rain & sending prayers to all those who need it. As they are saying it is Hell on earth..

More info...

 The missing person's line for the fires is 1800 727 077

Latest update:

108 dead.

50 fires still burning, 8 are not yet contained.

Estimated death toll now 170.

Many people still missing.

A health warning has been issued: If you are living in an area that is particularly hot or smokey, stay indoors, keep windows and doors closed and keep airconditioning turned on as it will help filter the air. Anyone that suffers from asthma and other such conditions are advised to get a fumigation mask from a hardware store to help filter the air more.

Whittlesea Community Centre is the place to register for missing persons.

As of this morning the death toll is 108 and expected to rise.

It is totally horrific - 108+ dead, thousands of houses lost and who knows how many animals killed....and mostly because some idiots get their thrills from lighting fires (and probably assisting in fighting them too!)!

The fires near our house are almost out at this stage, and were lit by lightening yesterday morning during a very brief storm. We were lucky there was such a fast response from the CFA, DSE, Fire bomber planes and volunteers that worked all day and most of the night keeping it at bay. We were the first house in line if the wind changed and I had clothes and photos packed ready to take the kids, 6 dogs and 5 brand new puppies (born early yesterday morning) in my station wagon to my mum's 120km away and leave my husband here to try and protect the house. Thank goodness they got it under control and the wind didn't change, but I feel somehow guilty that we were saved when so many others weren't.

My thoughts and prayers are with all those affected by the fires and floods - be it directly affected or having family or friends affected. xxoo

I can't stop thinking about those affected by the fires. We just thought it was just plain luck whether we were hit or not but then to hear that arson is the cause, I am angered.

I hope they catch these arsonists, charge them with murder and give them sentences that befit their appalling actions.  Even if they haven't lit the fires that caused the most damamge, their actions meant that emergency services were stretched even further which no doubt contributed to the horrific loss of life.

My thoughts and prayers go out to all those who have lost family, friends, houses and their community.

My lord, they were lit???  Why on earth inflict such tragedy???  So very sad, i send the best wishes I can that things settle out for all. The loss of life is just horrific.

I'm  tired and i havent heard from relo's and friends from Narbethong.. Some have arrived which make us happy...but its just getting worse.

I feel for all those families and i wish i could do more than what im doing but have to stay calm for those here at my home that made it out ok and still waiting to hear from the rest of the loved ones.

Sorry need to go and sleep and hopefully we all get some news tonight or early in the morning good or bad. We all just want to know either way....

My prayers are with everyone. nitey nite

so so devasted

so grim and so many lives yet to be accounted for.

we victorians grew up with brian naylor on televison. he was one of the longest news readers around. he had retired. he was highly regarded too.

then there is the loss of life of other ordinary victorians the mums the dads the grandparents the children. so devastating. so many lives affected.

victoria will never be the same.

annie

My Heart goes out to every single one of the victims, I live in Melbourne but am lucky that the fires are not near me.   I do know of some Minti mum who are very close to the fires and also some good friends.

I pray that everyone is ok and that the firefighters, who are working around the clock, get these fires under control soon.

May the people who lit these fires burn in hell (harsh I know, but that is how I feel)